Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Premier League clubs have been very cautious of their spending and no major trades occurred in this January 2021 transfer window.
This Premier League transfer window ended up as one of the quietest and most underwhelming transfer windows in years but you cannot fault any of the clubs given the financial constraints with the second outbreak of COVID-19 in England.
Liverpool and Arsenal were busy on deadline day but for different reasons. The Reds were trying to bolster their defence after the horrible luck they have had in that department this season with a season-ending injury for Virgil van Dijk early on in the season and Joe Gomez being out as well indefinitely. Jurgen Klopp’s side has had to play Jordan Henderson and Fabinho as the centre-back pairing for a lot of games this season as Joel Matip is out as well.
This prompted the champions to snap up FC Schalke’s Ozan Kabak on loan for the remainder of the season. The young centre-back is expected to be in the starting line-up right from the get-go. The Scousers also signed defender Ben Davies from Preston North End for £2 million on a long-term contract.
Preston North End’s Ben Davies has been signed by Liverpool. (Photo by Kevin Barnes – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Ozan Kabak of FC Schalke 04 (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal, on the other hand, loaned out Ainsley Maitland-Niles to West Bromwich Albion and Joe Willock to Newcastle United. The Gunners also terminated Shkodran Mustafi’s contract who has now joined German club, Schalke.
Only 3 permanent deals and 6 loan moves were completed by Premier League clubs in this January transfer window. This has been the lowest amount spent in a January transfer window since 2012 with only £68 million being spent, which is £120 million less than the 2020 transfer window!
There were some top snatches by other clubs though with the biggest being Joshua King by Everton. The Toffees signed the Bournemouth striker in the dying hours of deadline day, which is a huge acquisition as they have been overly reliant on Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Carlo Ancelotti’s attacking style of football might benefit the team and Josh King as well.
Brighton managed to sign top talent, Moises Caicedo. Graham Potter’s side has struggled to create goals with Neal Maupay carrying most of their goalscoring burden. Caicedo will add creativity and dynamism to an otherwise static midfield. It will be interesting to see how the Ecuadorian does in the physical Premier League.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (R) is challenged by Ecuador’s Moises Caicedo during their 2022 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier in Buenos Aires. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MARCELO ENDELLI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Takumi Minamino will play for Southampton for the rest of the 2020/21 season. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Japan’s Takumi Minamino has made a move to Southampton for the remainder of this season, on loan from Liverpool.
Fulham signed Josh Maja on loan from French club, Bordeaux to bolster their attack and Okay Yokuslu was snatched up by West Brom from Celta Vigo on a loan deal.
Marcos Rojo‘s contract has been terminated by Manchester United as the Argentinian international is all set to return to his home country and play for Boca Juniors. Fellow countryman, Sergio Romero‘s contract is also coming to an end as he will become a free agent and will not feature for Manchester United again.
It was a lacklustre transfer window in the Premier League but the season has been far from it. It is still anyone’s game although Manchester City is the firm favourite.
